Expert: Dave Johnson - 9/8/2009

Question
I have a L shaped wall dividing my kitchen and dining room that I want to remove.   The long side runs parallel to the floor joists and perpendicular to the rafters above (one story house).  Its about 5 ft long.  The short wall runs perpendicular to the floor joists and parallel to the rafters and is about 3.5 ft long.  In the corner there is a large cutout/shelf that leaves only about 3 ft on the long wall and 2 ft on the short wall of solid wall.  There are also 2 main beams in the basement supported by steel posts.  Neither wall sits directly over either beam.    The roof has a very mellow slope to it.      Is it safe to assume that neither of these walls bears weight??

Answer
Hi Nick,
It certainly sounds like they support nothing. A good way to be sure is to look in the attic and see if there are trusses, if so, no problem.

Also, if there are rafters, and the wall is holding joists in the center of the house they may bear weight.
If this is too confusing, mail me again...
Best of luck,

Dave